Bath’s pro-Europeans turn out for Pulse of Europe

Bath for Europe supporters turned out in force on Sunday, 7th May, for Bath’s third Pulse of Europe event. Pulse of Europe is a pan-European movement celebrating the values of peace, democracy, tolerance and human rights in the face of rising populism. It originated in Frankfurt with thousands gathering at 2 pm on Sundays linking hands in a chain of support. The movement has spread from Germany to France, the Netherlands, Belgium and now the UK where other cities, such as Bristol, have followed Bath’s lead.

The event began with speeches by Bath residents. As Jay Risbridger told the crowd, “Brexit was the UK’s Berlin Wall: it will stop UK citizens travelling and working freely in Europe just as the East Germans were denied basic freedoms. It was the politicians that put up these walls and it is the people that tear them down.”

Jane Riekemann held up the front page of The Sunday Times in her speech: “’Brexit brings bonanza for billionaires’. It’s clear that the Tories are looking after their own and leaving the rest of us in the UK to sink. We must use the General Election on 8th June to vote for pro-EU candidates and unseat Bath MP Ben Howlett. He claimed to be pro-Europe but we’ve seen time and again how he has backtracked, voted to trigger Article 50 and voted against the wishes of most his constituents.”

The colourful crowd, many wearing iconic blue Bath EU berets, marched through the busy centre of sunny Bath, handing out leaflets and engaging with bystanders. The procession made its way to Queen Square, where participants enjoyed a bring your own food’ picnic tea and where a street stall sold EU merchandise and Union Jacks. Bath for Europe plans to hold its next Pulse of Europe on Sunday 4th June. We are stepping up our campaign to save our country from the damage of a Brexit that only half the nation voted for.